12 days Post Heart transplant

I would say by about 6 weeks things were showing signs of getting more normal. For me it was when they allowed me to drive again and I think with the predasone being lower is when food started tasting better. I left the hospital about 8 days after transplant but because we lived about 70 miles away, we got a long-term hotel room with a kitchenette closer to the hospital and did that for about 3 weeks. by that time the appointments were getting less so we went home and drove in for the required appointments. so at first i lived at home on the first floor (we have a 2-story house and our bedroom was on the 2nd floor) and that lasted for about a month while I got the strength to climb stairs. so that may give you a bit of a timeline. Please know I was pretty sick and already in the hospital about a month before transplant. My old heart was giving out fast so being in bed so much my muscles were very weak. I think for those who could stay at home and do some exercising prior to transplant probably recover much faster. Everyone is different so my best advice is walk the floor as much as they let you. Its amazing how fast muscles atrophied when in bed too much.

I finally get out of the hospital today 🙏💗

Hurray!! This is fantastic!
Now you can get a decent nights sleep 😴
Sending hugs and looking forward to hearing about your recovery.

Thank you so much 🙏🙏

@msrlallen
My apologies for the late response. I had connectivity issues to Connect and just this afternoon the technical team at Mayo fixed the problem. Something to do with a new analytics package of theirs ; not mine. I am four years post heart transplant and just completed my annual at Mayo-Phoenix. My issues came upon me suddenly and so adjusting emotionally to the new life (literally) was hard. As for connecting with others, my transplant date was December 30, 2019 and then Covid hit in early 2020. So no one was visiting anyone. In some respects that made it easier on me. Though my slave-driver, I mean care-giver, was very protective and laid the law down for all those around me. So I could blame her or I could blame Mayo..."Well I would but the medical masters at Mayo would not be happy."

At this point you have earned the right to establish your rules. People have good intent but they do not understand the reality of transplant. this is your chance to educate them.

And I understand being tired. I lost a lot of muscle mass and now four years later I average 30,000 steps a day and play in a basketball league I started on Friday mornings. Recovery started with one step and then another.

Good luck and stay in touch.
Best always,
s!
Scott Jensen

Scott, thank you for the advice. I truly appreciate it. And keep having a very healthy recovery

Awesome, did you stay close by? or were you able to go home?

I'm going to stay with my until I'm cleared to drive. So I can be close for biopsies and appointments. It's about 25-30 minutes from the hospital and Heart and Lung transplant clinic.

Good Idea, Those first few weeks are usually busy. So it will give you more rest time. So was your first night in a regular bed a nice change?

Yes! I actually slept so well and it was much much needed.